Refrigerated showcase having means for preventing condensation



May 9, 1950 A. TORTORELLI ET AL 2,596,977

REFRIGERATED SHOWCASE HAVING MEANS FOR PREVENTING CONDENSATION Filed April 28, 1948 Fig.2

Patented May 9, 1950 UNITED TATES Adriano Tortorelli and Adolfo Tortorclli, Siena, Italy Application ril 28. 1948,'Serial'*No. 23374 In Italy May 13,1947

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a glass showcase for refrigerating fixtures, with a device apt toeliminate the condensation of atmospheric moisture, with circulation of air at room temperature.

In thepreservation of ice-cream with a glass showcase-cooled by a curren't of cold air, the ice cream is displayed unenclosed and protected, at the present time, with a superstructure of glass, composed of metal frames in which double panes of glass are held parallel to one another, with the intention of protecting the space in which the ice cream is preserved from the elevated outside room temperature, and leaving a minimum opening for service. This method of protection gives satisfactory results as long as the said outside temperature is high enough to heat the inner panes of glass and bring their temperature up to that of the outer panes, that is to say up to room temperature; in which case it is logical that the moisture contained in the said room air finds no cold surface on which to condense. In cool or damp weather--especially in spring and autumn--an appreciable degree of condensation is observed on the inner panes; this is due to the fact that the metal frame supporting the lower part of the panes is comparatively cold, since it is in proximity to the cold-generating source, and transmits to the glass a temperature that is 2-3 degrees (0.) lower than the normal temperature, and this is sufficient to cause the condensation of the moisture contained in the warmer air that enters and circulates freely within the showcase.

The invention in question aims at avoiding the drawback mentioned by the simple solution of keeping the inner pane warm, and the problem has been solved by preventing contact of the ietal frame with the cold zone, by adopting for example a singie pane of glass, raised above the level of the showcase; in any such manner that the room air can circulate within the said glass and keep both surfaces of the glass at a temperature equal to that of the room air.

The invention will be better understood by following the text hereinafter, together with the appended drawing, which show the type of showcase adopted heretofore and an example of embodiment of the idea set forth above for the elimination of the aforementioned drawback.

in the said drawing in fact:

Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a glass showcase I constructed according to the method formerly in use;

Fig. 2 shows a similar section of a glass showcase constructed according to the invention in question.

The working process of the apparatusshown in Fig.1 islknown. current-oi air,:cooledfby member i and drivenbya fan-=2, flowsgently over the ice cream or other article to be kept cold-- contained in the dish 13; owing to the difference in density and weight. 'Thiscurrent-of-coldair does not rise.

The division between the room air at normal temperature, which enters through the opening l of the fixed showcase 56 with double panes, and circulates in the upper part of the said showcase 5-45, and the current of cold air is extremely sharp, with the consequence that the dispersion of cold air to the atmosphere is negligible.

The metal frame I however is affected by the low temperature of the current of air in proximity to it and tends to lower the temperature of the inner pane of said 5. The temperature thus lowered is 2-3 degrees (0.) below that of the room air-which enters through the opening 4 and can circulate freely-but it is sufficient to cause the condensation of the moisture contained in the said air. This occurs, of course, when the degree or" moisture is relatively high and the room temperature cool, because when the room temperature is warm the whole assembly of glass panes and framework is sufficiently warmed for it to be no longer affected by the lower part 1 of the metal frame.

In Fig. 2 a counter for ice cream, or other product to be kept cold, is reproduced in section, with the device in question.

In the example portrayed in Fig. 2 it is to be noted that the counter is precisely the same as the other (Fig. l) as regards the circulation of the current of cool air over the ice cream for the purpose of preserving it, but differs from the preceding typereproduced in Fig. l-as regards the protective superstructure.

According to the schematic drawing, the glass cover comprises a suitably framed horizontal pane 8, which forms the rear opening 9. In front, a second pane it is provided, which is supported laterally and at its upper edge, and the lower edge of which is slightly raised above the level of the counter so as to leave a suitable opening 5 I towards the front.

Within, a further pane i2 is provided, the height of which is less than that of the showcase; this pane is opportunely supported and lies parallel to and at a suitable distance from pane Ill.

The working process of the device is the following:

The room air penetrates inside the showcase through the service opening 9; it circulates in the upper portion of the said case and flows out either through the same opening or through the front opening I I, being slowly drawn in by the lower temperature prevailing therein. The pane l2 prevents the current of Warm air from disturbing the regular outflow of the cool air current flowing immediately over the receptacle or receptacles containing the ice cream. A circulation of air at room temperature is thus set up which, by keeping warm the surfaces of the horizontal pane 8, and the sub-vertical pane Ill, prevents the condensation of the moisture contained in the air.

It is worthy of note that this system gives a considerably more economical construction than that obtained by the system previously in use and reproduced in Fig. 1, while at the same time providing regular running and the advantage of avoiding condensation on the lower section of the glass.

It is understood that the drawing only constitutes a schematic form of example and is given solely as a practical demonstration of the invention, as the said invention may vary in form and 2;

disposition without thereby going beyond the limits of the inventive idea.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what We claim is:

A show-case for refrigerated boxes for the preservation of ice cream or the like, with an arrangement adapted to avoid the condensation of the atmospheric dampness, comprising a large back opening, a front pane inclined and held up in relation to the counter of the box, and a pane parallel to the former in the internal part, starting from the counter of the box and extending for a limited height.

ADRIANO TORTORELLI. ADOLFO TORTORELLI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 791,924 Magee June 6, 1905 985,620 Monette Feb. 28, 1911 1,371,169 Johnke Mar. 8, 1921 1,934,864 Lambert Nov. 14, 1933 

